Registration for EPA and Army "Waters of the United States" Listening Session for State and Local Governments
We invite our state and local government partners to the EPA and Army “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) Listening Session for State and Local Governments on May 28, 2025 from 2 – 4 p.m. ET.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (Army) are conducting this virtual webinar listening session for the state and local governments and their member associations on Microsoft Teams.
This meeting will be recorded for internal purposes only and is for state and local governments and their representative associations only.
Registration Information
Advanced registration via this registration page is required to attend. Registration for virtual attendees will close on May 27, 2025 at noon ET.
Attendees may preregister for a 3-minute time slot to speak. Slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited by the duration of the meeting. Speaker preregistration will also close on May 27, 2025 at noon ET. Preregistering for a speaker spot does not guarantee that you will be able speak. If you are confirmed to speak, the moderator will call on you by name when it is your turn to speak. Confirmed speakers will receive a separate email with additional information. Requests to speak may be requested during the event, pending availability. (If you have already spoken at previous sessions, we kindly request that you do not register as a speaker for this session to allow other interested parties to participate. However, should there be time remaining, you may request to join the speaker waitlist during the session.)
Participants can also register to listen only. Once the speaking slots are filled, participants can register to listen to the session or join the speaker waitlist.
Please reach out to wotus-outreach@epa.gov to arrange for accommodations (e.g., sign language interpreters or translation). Accommodations will be provided if received no later than one week before the listening session. EPA will use your registration information solely for this event. We will not share your info with third parties.
Background
On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the intent of EPA and Army to revise the definition of WOTUS to follow the clear direction of the Supreme Court in Sackett v. EPA while eliminating red tape, cutting permitting costs, and lowering the cost of doing business in communities across the country. To achieve this vision, the agencies will develop a proposed rule to revise the amended 2023 definition of WOTUS. This listening session is intended to help EPA and Army understand real-world perspectives and experiences with WOTUS implementation.
In addition, the agencies announced a Federal Register notice publicizing a series of six listening sessions and a 30-day recommendations docket to solicit feedback on key aspects of the definition of WOTUS. The listening sessions are intended to help EPA and Army understand real-world perspectives and experiences with WOTUS implementation. The agencies are seeking input on key topics related to the definition of WOTUS, consistent with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett vs. EPA, regarding “continuous surface connection,” “relatively permanent,” and jurisdictional versus non-jurisdictional ditches.
For More Information
Please reach out to wotus-outreach@epa.gov with any questions about this event and see additional information on the EPA’s Waters of the United States webpage.